Stories from the Sales Frontlines

1…799800802804805…2003

Comments

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    The last time I had to sell "Croak and Choke" was in 1995.

    Love that name! Glad you guys steer away from that stuff. I think in the long run consumers see that you are treating them with respect and they will come back and tell others about your honesty and dependability.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Perhaps you were expecting an emotional response?"

    You do have such class and style. :)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Driver, I was just checking around for fun to see who has how many posts to their credit. I noticed that your number is stuck on 1478. You may want to check on this. I don't want you missing prizes, bonus pay, free discounts, your gold watch after fifty years, etc. :P

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    I noticed that your number is stuck on 1478.

    I'll check and see if this makes 1479. I am catching up to you Richard.

    Don't want to miss out on my 1500 anniversary pin.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    Yes, I moved ahead one. I am totally surprised that I have been here since 2005, time really flies.

    Yesterday our tennis group was talking about the millenium scare...computers not working etc when we turned over to 2000. It seems like that was only a year ago, but it was 9 years ago (if my calculations are right) :cry:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I've been meaning to ask you something since you are in the book business. Please find me a yellow, hardback "Dick and Jane" book. I've been looking in book stores, library sales, antique shops, etc. for years. They are so hard to find. I found a blue one, but the yellow ones were published first. I learned to read from them. It would be a thrill to own one of those. Let me know if you see one. I won't grind on it. I WILL pay MSRP! ;)

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    Please find me a yellow, hardback "Dick and Jane" book.

    I think it can be done but you will find it easier to do yourself.

    First try Amazon.com and look up under books "Dick and Jane".
    Here's the page; Dick&Jane

    See which one you want and order it.

    If it is an older edition, go to abebooks.com. The correct page is:
    Dick and Jane
    This links you to dealers all over the world and someone will have what you are looking for. Order from the closest or cheapest dealer.

    Let me know if it works for you or I'll figure out something else. I am not sure if you are looking for a new edition or an original. One way or the other it can be done.
    Good luck!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,195
    isell...I hear what you're saying. And, I agree.

    But, for me, I think what I'm asking for the Tahoe is fair. Apparently, I'm way out of touch with the market for these. However, I'm sticking to my number, for now. As it stands, on a trade, both the Acura and Hyundai dealer are about $4,000 off on a trade number. That's a pretty big delta.

    What I don't know is what it will bring if I sell it outright. That's what I'm trying to find out now.

    It's parked at a Marina on the River currently. Nice day today. I've already had two calls on it this a.m. That means there are more boaters down there tending to their slips.

    I gave a number and the particulars to one caller. He said he'd get back to me (sure, I'll wait by the phone). The other one wants to drive it tonight. I hope he shows because that's a 45 minute trip for me.....one way.

    Fact is, no matter how soft the market appears to be on big SUVs, I'm trying to put it in a place where the people who could use one can see it. It is a very nice ride.

    But, just like the last sale I did for my parents Grand Marquis, if I can't get close to my number, I'll keep it.

    I'm getting a little taste of what all of you sales people have complained about recently. Yeah, the market is down. You don't have to tell me that. This vehicle should sell in the low $30s in more normal conditions. I've backed of on those numbers. In my mind, mid $20s is fair on a trade....even with current market conditions. $26.5K will buy it in a straight sale.

    If I'm that wrong on my number, so be it.

    A new one, equipped the same exact way, with no differences from my '07 MY is listed at $56K and change on Edmunds TMV.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    My wife got a new 2009 Fusion a couple weeks ago. She got a great deal. She says the best way to get a good deal on a new car is to sleep with the Finance Manager, it works every time. :D Wish I would have been in town that week. :D :P
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    So I take it you just have a "For Sale" sign and your phone number on the Tahoe?
    I always liked to see a number (price) on any car I was looking at. Usually the cars without a price were the ones where the owner was asking too much, and I wouldn't call. Also, you wouldn't have to take calls from those who were just curious. Wouldn't hurt to print out an Edmunds TMV price and tape it on the front windshield, along with your asking price. They could see the mileage, condition and see what a good bargain it would be. Price it at $27,750. Good luck.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    on a trade, both the Acura and Hyundai dealer are about $4,000 off on a trade number

    If 2 dealers hit the Tahoe about the same, they may be off what you want, but not the market. When I evaluate a trade, I check the Manhiem auction results, then call 3-4 dealers for buy bids. That will tell me what the real market is for the car. It has absolutely nothing to do with TMV, KBB, etc. which are guides.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That is so true.

    A trade is only worth what we can get for it.

    Last summer whan gas was over 4.00 a gallon, NOBODY wanted the gas hogs. A Ford dealer gave us a buy bid on an Expedition that was 4000.00 back of book and he only did that as a favor. He really didn't want it at ANY price!
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Ya, the used car biz was fun for about 2 months when those gas prices dropped back under $2 and we had a lot full of SUV's way back of book. We sold the crap out of them and made good money. The market adjusted big time on them so people were pulling KBB's on SUV's that would say for instance $19K that we had put $15K in 3 months before that.
  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    I think Edmunds will even generate a Mulroney sheet for you to stick in the window as well...
  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    I've been meaning to ask you something since you are in the book business. Please find me a yellow, hardback "Dick and Jane" book. I've been looking in book stores, library sales, antique shops, etc. for years. They are so hard to find. I found a blue one, but the yellow ones were published first. I learned to read from them.

    You mean they actually had books back then???? :P
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    Finding a book. I searched for a family geneaology book published in the 60s. Missed getting one from my cousin when he passed. Found one in a bookstore in England. It was a real experience finding how to send them funds in Pounds--wouldn't accept Euros, wonder why? Check every bookstore when you take leisure trips. I found a print by a Cincinnati area wildlife artist long ago that way; even got it at a bargain price considering it was in a store one of whose specialties was prints and originals.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >It is the consumers choice to purchase or not.

    Right.

    But the snakecharmer who sells the magnetic bracelet will also thump his chest and say you don't need health insurance if you have the bracelet.

    So what is the consumers choice?

    The plot thickens when the health insurance also confirms the fact and all of us make a mad rush to buy the bracelets.
    Then one day, there is an epidemic and most of us are infected and need medical attention and hospitalization. Do we simply wave the magnetic bracelet at the hospitals' staff and wish them away? I guess the smart ones will sell those magnetic bracelets to the hospital cashier such that she can take it to the bank and she can withdaw as much money as needed?
  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    Happy Easter to everyone on Edmunds and happy selling.

    :shades:
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    what?
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    LOL ! By golly I will try that the next time I run into a good looking female F&I manager !!

    Strictly in the interest of testing your theory mind you. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I have always suspected that various dealers share information when someone is shopping a car. That they have some sort of secret website or something else where they post names, dates, cars, and what was offered etc.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    lol ya we do its called www.avoidthestroke.com :D
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    Finding a book. I searched for a family geneaology book published in the 60s. Missed getting one from my cousin when he passed. Found one in a bookstore in England. It was a real experience finding how to send them funds in Pounds--wouldn't accept Euros, wonder why?

    If you go on abebooks.com you are linked to thousands of bookstores around the world, and it is likely someone will have the book somewhere.

    In England they only use pounds or Sterling. They did not agree to use Euros, Pounds are too entrenched in the system and are too hard to give up. Usually you can buy on VISA and they will ring in in as pounds, but the bank will convert it into dollars with a nice little surcharge for the conversion fee.

    abebooks is easy to use. Just put in the name of the book or author or even key words, and if the book is available it will come up somewhere in the world. The old method was bookstores would mail lists around the world, or you would mail your request around the world. A woman was sending out a list from her little bookstore. Her husband worked with computers and he said why don't you just hook up with all these bookstores online. Now they sell millions of books a year, and many small bookstores that specialized in rare copies are gone. abe stands for Advanced Book Exchange.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    up here it is a different site - letsplaywiththebuyersparanoia.com
  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    I was tempted...I will admit!! But I talked myself out of it.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Ha, I knew I was right. I imagine they are similar to the ones us consumers have...sorry I can't divulge the web sites.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    we already know it - babyseals.com
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I should have known better. :mad:

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,477
    .I know this isn't a sales story (unless you count the "selling" of services at the hospital), but I am a dad!

    Congratulations! My son is almost 15 but it seems like we brought him home from the hospital yesterday. Take time to enjoy the journey of parenthood; time goes by much faster than you think.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    what? is right!!
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,477
    Also on the show they showed how extras at Best Buy could add $800 to a $1500 TV, if you buy a $400 warranty, $80 cables that they could buy for $12 on line, glass cleaner for $30, power bar for $300 (when an ordinary one would do but this one cleans the electricity) etc.

    The people who get burned at electronics stores are the strokes who are too lazy to do their homework. I just bought a 50" Kuro Elite from Best Buy for 45% off and got an extended warranty for $200. If you don't ask, you don't get. As for the other items, people tend to spend way too much or not enough. For cable and interconnects I like Blue Jeans Cable. For surge suppression I use the Tripp Lite Powerbar10- $70 from Amazon. Most all of the Monster Cable products are incredibly overpriced.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    How fortunate I am to have resourceful and intelligent friends in high places. ;) Seriously, thank you so much for those two sites. I have enjoyed spending the last two hours looking at fun books. Neither site has the yellow book just now---mainly the blue and green ones like I have. At least this way, I have a place to go frequently to check. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I owe you.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Wish I would have been in town that week."

    LMAO!!! I've seen that picture of your beautiful blonde wife. If I were you, I would never leave town without her. :)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I should have known better."

    Don't fret. We know their web site: www.plaidjacketsandwhiteshoes.com :P

    Richard
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    ROFL.....
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Here is a pic of the web master.

    image
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,404
    "...Yeah, the market is down..."

    Don't let one cheapskate talk you into giving up your SUV for a song. I once has a clown try to haggle me on a $200 truck. That kind probably makes a hobby of low-balling dozens of cars a week just for laughs. Or perhaps he's the front man for a real buyer who is trying to soften you up.

    Next time some idiot offers you half price tell him that you will hold the original price for one week and then it is going up 10%. If he doesn't hurry he'll miss out on your "Low Low Introductory Offer". ;)

    You could also try the old deskman trick of printing out the Kelly Blue Book value from the Beverly Hills zip code. :lemon:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,404
    "...I wish I would have been in town..."

    That's rich! LOL :D

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Weren't you smart to find that picture of deskman? ;)

    Richard
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    What is special about the yellow book. Amazon has 60 starting at $1.81. You must be talking about something different. Edify me. :blush:

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Well, for starters the one Richard is talking about pre-dates the printing press and is actually carved into a stone tablet.......

    gg - well, maybe there's someone who'd pay that for the Tahoe. Certainly wouldn't be me. MAybe when gas was still dropping and getting closer to a dollar than pushing tehrough $2 when it's only April. At least you're marketing it in the right places.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,950
    got me. i thought 'we' were considering a few different models, so i emailed the dealerships for some quotes. once i got them, she informed me none of those vehicles were what she wanted. :sick:
    anyways, the new car purchase is knocked back a bit.
    i now know what she really wants, but we have to wait a bit.
    basically, what she wants is going to cost more than what she wants to pay, so i am doing a lot of groundwork for any salesperson, if a sale happens.
    i am hoping our daughter's SAT scores will soften her up a bit.
    it's tough to top 800 for a math score. the other 2 were just under 700.
    we do need an additional vehicle, it's just a case of what it will be, a new ride for the wife or something less for the kids.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    >stone tablet.......

    Really?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Edify me."

    Fezo tried to answer for me, but his wise [non-permissible content removed] got in the way of his brain. :P

    I'm looking for an early first edition of Fun With Dick and Jane. (Book titles should be underlined, but I can't make it work on the format here.) At any rate, there are several series of this book with various titles and various publishing dates since the 1930's. Amazon has a collector's list that you can click on from the main page. The ones that you saw are newly published copies with modernized characters.

    Hopefully, you have been edified, satisfied, gratified, and homogenized. :D;)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Here is your solution: Daughter gets Mom's old car because of high SAT math score; Mom gets new car; Dad gets payments. Simple, right? :D

    Richard
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Found one in a bookstore in England. It was a real experience finding how to send them funds in Pounds--wouldn't accept Euros, wonder why?

    Could it be b/c Englad uses the pound not the Euro? :D

    Would the US salespeople here accept US Dollars of Mexican Pesos? <-- Bringing it back on topic.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Of course I was in Catholic schools at that age. We didn't have Dick and Jane. We had John and Jean. I think they were the same books with different names. They had a little sister Judy, a dog named Spot and a cat named Fluff.

    I think they had a Ford. Can you really not underline in here?
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Hopefully, you have been edified, satisfied, gratified, and homogenized.

    Well, since this is a car forum, you could have added Simonized (note the underline). ;)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jb_turnerjb_turner Member Posts: 702
    No wonder why you received the extended warranty on that TV....you got raped on the price of the TV. Our Magnolia has that TV for $1899.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    >Could it be b/c Englad uses the pound not the Euro?

    The location service (may have been ABE) seemed to think they accepted Euro when they did the pricing, so I'm not as simple as being implied. :sick:

    What's a US Dollar of Mexican Pesos? ;)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

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